The document summarizes the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which describes the Buddha's first teaching about the Four Noble Truths and the Middle Way. It explains the four truths - suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to its cessation. It also describes how the Buddha put the "Wheel of Dhamma" in motion by teaching the three turnings and twelve aspects of the four noble truths.
3. Sensual pleasure with reference to sensual objects Base, vulgar, common, ignoble, unprofitable Two extremes that are not to be indulged
4. Two extremes that are not to be indulged Self-affliction, Ascetism Painful, ignoble, unprofitable
5. The Middle Way “ Without veering towards either of these extremes, the Tathagata has awakened to the middle way, which gives rise to vision, which gives rise to knowledge, which leads to peace, to direct knowledge, to enlightenment, to Nibbana.”
6. What is the Middle Way? Right Understanding Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Noble Eightfold Path
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8. First Noble Truth And what is the Noble Truth of Suffering? Birth is suffering, ageing is suffering, sickness is suffering, death is suffering, association with the things which we dislike is suffering, separation from the things which we like is suffering, not to get what one wants, that also is suffering. In short, the five aggregates, which are the objects of grasping, are suffering.
9. Second Noble Truth This is the Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering, i.e. ‘thirst’ or ‘craving’ (tanha), which produces rebirth. Three categories of craving: craving for sensual pleasures ( kama tanha ) craving for existence and becoming ( bhava tanha ) craving for non-existence ( vibhava tanha )
10. Third Noble Truth This is the Truth of the Cessation of Suffering, i.e. attaining the freedom and happiness of Nibbana This is the utter quenching through the disappearance of that craving, letting go and release, with no more longing after that craving.
11. Fourth Noble Truth It is the Way leading to the ending of dukkha, and this Way is the Noble Eightfold Path ( ariya atthangika magga ). It is called ‘Noble’ because when practised, it leads to an ennobling of human life. It is called ‘Eightfold’ because it has eight constituents It is called ‘Path’ because it leads from samsara to Nibbana.
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13. Putting the Wheel in Motion The Wheel of Dhamma ( Dhamma.cakka ) was put in motion twelve times, with three turnings for each of the Four Noble Truths To understand the Four Noble Truths, not just intellectually but experientially, we have to practise the twelve turnings of the Wheel
14. The Three Turnings Recognition: Coming to terms with the situation as it really is, without resorting to self-denial, escapism or clouding up the issue Encouragement: Putting effort to examine a situation properly to understand its nature and causes Realisation: Gaining an insight into a situation after studying, reflecting and practising
15. Twelve Turnings of the Wheel Recognition: This is an ignoble way that has led to suffering Encouragement: That ignoble should be understood Realisation: That ignoble way is understood Arising of Suffering Recognition: Well being is possible Encouragement: Well being should be obtained Realisation: Well being is obtained Cessation of Suffering (well being) Recognition: There is a noble path that leads to well being Encouragement: This noble path has to be lived Realisation: This noble path is being lived Path leading to end of Suffering (how well being is possible) Recognition: This is suffering Encouragement: Suffering should be understood Realisation: Suffering is understood Suffering
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29. Añña-Kondañña At the end of the Discourse, the Blessed One exclaimed: "So you really know, Kondañña? So you really know?"
